Embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for integrating a bottom-of-basket (BOB) item detector with a data reader. In some embodiments, the BOB item detector may be integrated with a barcode scanner of a point-of-sale (POS) terminal without need for modification of the POS system software. Some embodiments may also include a visual and/or audible indication of the presence of a bottom-of-basket item.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method for modification of a point-of-sale system to include a bottom-of-basket item detector, the method comprising: providing a bottom-of-basket item detector, wherein the bottom-of-basket item detector is configured to detect the presence of one or more items on a lower shelf of a shopping cart without relying on reading encoded symbols on the one or more items; and integrating the bottom-of-basket item detector with a point-of-sale system such that product data for the one or more items detected by the bottom-of-basket item detector is transmitted to a data reader operatively connected with the point-of-sale system, wherein the bottom-of-basket item detector is integrated with the point-of-sale system without modification of the point-of-sale system software, and wherein the bottom-of-basket item detector is integrated with the point-of-sale system such that the product data transmitted to the data reader comprises a representation of an encoded symbol in a format that is the same as an encoded symbol format in which the terminal is configured to receive data from the data reader.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the product data comprises a UPC code.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bottom-of-basket item detector is integrated with the point-of-sale system via an ethernet connection.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bottom-of-basket item detector is integrated with the point-of-sale system by interfacing the bottom-of-basket item detector with a data reader connected with the point-of-sale system.
5. A method for modification of a point-of-sale system to include a bottom-of-basket item detector, the method comprising: providing a bottom-of-basket item detector, wherein the bottom-of-basket item detector is configured to detect the presence of one or more items on a lower shelf of a shopping cart without relying on reading encoded symbols on the one or more items; and integrating the bottom-of-basket item detector with a point-of-sale system such that product data for the one or more items detected by the bottom-of-basket item detector is transmitted to the point-of-sale system, wherein the bottom-of-basket item detector is integrated with the point-of-sale system without modification of the point-of-sale system software, and wherein the bottom-of-basket item detector is integrated with the point-of-sale system such that the product data transmitted to the point-of-sale system comprises a representation of an encoded symbol in a format that is the same as an encoded symbol format in which the point-of-sale system is configured to receive data from a data reader operatively connected with the point-of-sale system.
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October 17, 2006
February 8, 2011
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